Zooni Tales: Keep It Up, Plucky Pup

Zooni Tales #1

by Vikram Madan

Fans of Baloney and Friends and Narwhal and Jelly will love this rhyming early graphic novel series with loads of laughs and silly gaffs, from a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honoree.

Zooni the dog has lost a shoe. Come on and help with the rescue! It might be here, or over there. Why don’t we go and ask the bear? Join the fun with Zooni and the zoo crew—you’ll love them, too! 

Dog Man meets Dr. Seuss in this fabulously furry young graphic novel that pairs rollicking rhyme with an irresistible pooch. Kid friendly wordplay makes phonics fun, while charming illustrations follow Zooni through colorful mishaps and dog naps. Never fear! Zooni’s pals are always near. Whether they’re lost at sea or climbing a tree, these loyal friends stick together through every adventure.

Told in three full-length stories and two mini comics, tails will be wagging for this fuzzy, four-legged star. A perfect fit for read alouds and newly independent readers.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Genres: Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics, Dogs, Childrens, Comics, Humor, Animals

96 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 10, 2023

About the author

Vikram Madan lives in Seattle where he makes fun art and writes funny books including:
* BEWARE THE DRAGON AND THE NOZZLEWOCK - A Poetry Collection in a Graphic Novel format (Ages 7 and up, and for poetry and comic lovers of all ages) - Kirkus Starred Review, Horn Book Starred Review, Kirkus Best Books of the Year, Boston Globe Best Books of the Year, EPL 101 Great Books for Kids 2024.
* ZOONI TALES (Graphic-Novel-In-Rhyme series, 2 books) - Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections
* OWL & PENGUIN (Starter Graphic Novel Series, 3 books) - 2023 Geisel Honor Book, ALA Notable Children's Book, and Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
* 'A HATFUL OF DRAGONS' (Funny Poetry Collection) - Selected as a Best Book of the Year by Kirkus Reviews, New York Public Library, Bank Street College of Education, Denver Public Library, School Library Journal Fuse 8 and others; Finalist for Texas Bluebonnet & South Dakota Prairie Bloom State Awards; ALA ALSC Reading Pick; and recipient of a Kirkus Starred Review. Visit www.HatfulOfDragons.com for a free educator's guide for this book.
* 'THE BUBBLE COLLECTOR' and 'LORD OF THE BUBBLES' (Funny Poetry Collections) - both winners of Moonbeam Book Awards for Children's Poetry
* BOBO & PUP-PUP (Early Reader Series - 4 books) - Recipient of a CCB Starred Review

Reviews

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This early graphic novel rhymes! And the illustrations are so darn cute! :-)

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a tale of perseverance about a pooch and pals who enjoy suspenseful adventures. Oh yes and rhyming words. Many many many rhyming words.

This book, is made up of three funny, easy-to-read tales and two brief interludes, stars Zooni, a very anthropomorphized dog. In “Missing Shoe,” Zooni seeks missing footwear and comes across many items and characters that rhyme with shoe, including cockatoo, stew, and emu, and notice they all end in different letters even though they rhyme. Then the final rhyme creates quite a surprise ending, as the other shoe drops!

In “Rescue” you read of subtle yet important themes: helping others, persisting even in the face of fear, and making new friends.

In “Boating Day,” Zooni’s desire to help out those in need while out on the water outweighs caution and common sense as way too many creatures crowd into the tiny vessel.

The art is fun and creative, for example: Zooni’s head barely changes shape, so his nose and mouth are sometimes weirdly displaced.

There are a few challenging words for early readers like responding, weight, and gorgeous, to name some.

This one is a solid purchase for libraries with the fun rhymes and sweetly expressive charming characters that surely will engage readers age 5-8.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children's graphic novel, early reader level. As I have been exploring books at the early reader level, I have been very impressed with Holiday House as a publisher. They have great early graphic novels as well as early readers that actually have a F & P guided reading level such as many schools use, and the books are fun! This book is divided into three vignettes, all focused on Zooni the dog. The first features a rhyming mad dash to find a missing shoe (who knew so many animals end in the -oo sound-- gnu, kangaroo, shrew, caribou, cockatoo), with a humorous surprise ending. The second story features an accidental cave exploration with bats as tour guides, and the third features a boat that gradually fills up with rescued animals, until the boat can hold no more and even the rescuers need to be rescued.

The text is simple, rhyming, but never boring. Format is easy to follow with clearly differentiated text bubbles and large panels. This looks to be the start of a series and the author's other early reader graphic novel series Owl and Penguin is also a winner.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute book for early readers that reminded me of Dr. Seuss as it had lots of rhyming in each chapter. Zooni, the plucky pup, goes on adventures and loses a shoe, goes on a boat, and tries to save his friend Cat who fell down a whole! His friends help him as best they can--though, sometimes they cause more problems. Zooni takes it all in stride and is glad to have his friends around him.

It would be a great book to readaloud to young ones who may not be ready to read by themselves to help them learn new words.

[Danielle Hammelef · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic novel for beginning readers is brightly adorably illustrated. The stories feature themes of friendship, mysteries, helping others, sharing, and overcoming fears and all of them are unique and vary in length. I hope this is the start of a series because I want to read more tales with Zooni and their friends.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told entirely in rhyme, short episodes about our plucky pup and all of his animal kingdom friends makes for a fun comic for younger readers. Certain words are in bold to draw attendtion to them and backgrounds are mostly solid color for easy reading. A promising start to a series.

[Raven Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

The rhyming is good for kids, but for this adult it got a bit too much. The colors are bright, only needed details grace the page and overall is a clever collection of short stories that reminded me of Dick & Jane but a few steps higher. The fun part is the main character seems to be genderless.

[Elley Shin · Rating 3 out of 5]

illustrations twas not for me

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This early graphic novel is going to appeal to K-2.

[Robin]

All the rhyming gets dizzying, but this is a pretty cute early reader.

[Deborah Zeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable rhyming stories along with whimsical drawings. Love the theme of friendship and teamwork!

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rhyming, silly, simple story divided into sections with cute & colorful illustrations.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for teaching rhymes!

[Mary T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this one aloud because of the rhyming text, but I wasn't necessarily drawn into the storyline.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.